By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

April 6, 2009

Quarterback Anthony Gonzalez from Bethlehem (Pa.) Liberty has a host of scholarship offers - including one from Penn State.  Gonzalez was in State College over the weekend and told Nittany Network he liked what he saw.

“It went good,” Gonzalez said.  “They showed us around the facilities.  I got to watch them practice.  The stadium is beautiful.”

Gonzalez has been to Penn State before, but this was the first time in a number of years.  He said the last time he was in State College was when he was in sixth or seventh grade.

“This was the first time where the coaches showed me around,” Gonzalez said.  “Penn State is a great school with great facilities.”

The Nittany Lions have a commitment from one of the top class of 2010 quarterback prospects in Big Ten country, P.J. Jones from McKees Rocks (Pa.) Sto-Rox.  But Gonzalez says that will not impact his thinking.

“That doesn’t bother me at all,” he said.  “They want to sign two quarterbacks.”

Gonzalez began the weekend with a visit to Pitt on Friday.  He then made his visit with the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

“At Penn State, I saw them practice,” he said.  “At Pitt, I watched a scrimmage.  I liked both of them.  I’m just starting to check places out and see what I like.”

Gonzalez has nine scholarship offers including Penn State, Pitt, Illinois, Maryland, West Virginia, Missouri and Florida State.  He said he does not have any leaders at this point and is not sure if he will attend any spring games.

The 6-foot-3 and 200-pound Gonzalez has been Liberty’s starting quarterback since the beginning of his sophomore season.  He passed for 1,200 yards and rushed for close to 600 that season.

Gonzalez led Liberty to a 15-1 record and a state championship his junior season.  He passed for 1,580 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 1,670 yards and 24 touchdowns.  Gonzalez was intercepted just four times.

Gonzalez, an outstanding all-around athlete, has been a varsity starter on the Liberty basketball team since his freshman season.  He averaged 14 points per game this season.